Phoenix Suns and 5 NBA Teams Who Had a Better Offseason Than You Think
This offseason has been full of teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers stealing the spotlight, but lesser publicized teams like the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings have had big offseasons in their own right.
Their acquisitions may not be as monumental or include big names like Steve Nash and Deron Williams, but these teams have definitely made themselves better. Read on for how the Phoenix Suns and four other teams may not be getting all the headlines, but are having a better offseason than you may think.
Phoenix Suns
1 of 5Additions: PG Kendall Marshall, PG Goran Dragic, SF Michael Beasley and PF Luis Scola
Losses: PG Steve Nash, PG Aaron Brooks, SF Josh Childress and SF Grant Hill
Re-signings: None
Remaining free agents: C Robin Lopez, SG Michael Redd, SG Shannon Brown and PG Ronnie Price
The Phoenix Suns have been extremely busy this offseason, and the first big move came when they agreed to trade away Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers. Nash had been the face of the franchise for almost a decade, but the two agreed to part ways in the first of several big moves.
The team then went out to sign Goran Dragic and Michael Beasley to help rebuild a team desperate for talent and scoring. The Suns managed to get restricted free agent SG Eric Gordon to agree to an offer sheet, which the New Orleans Hornets matched to retain his services. Phoenix also secured the services of PF Luis Scola by winning his amnesty auction, giving the team a versatile low post scorer.
Phoenix has positioned itself nicely for the future with the drafting of Marshall, signings of Dragic and Beasley and auction win of Scola. The team might not be done adding pieces either, as there is a noticeable hole at shooting guard.
Atlanta Hawks
2 of 5Additions: SG Louis Williams, SG John Jenkins, SG Kyle Korver, SG Anthony Morrow, C Johan Petro, SG DeShawn Stevenson, PF Jordan Williams, PG Devin Harris and PF Mike Scott
Losses: SG Joe Johnson, SF Jerry Stackhouse, SF Marvin Williams and PG Kirk Hinrich
Re-signings: None
Remaining free agents: SG Tracy McGrady, C Jason Collins, C Erick Dampier, SG Willie Green, PF Ivan Johnson, PG Jannero Pargo and SF Vladimir Radmanovic
The Atlanta Hawks have been super busy this offseason and might look like losers for trading away Joe Johnson, but in reality they are winners for doing so. By trading away the highly overpaid Joe Johnson, the team saves nearly $90 million over the next four years which allows them to build around Josh Smith and Al Horford.
The team also managed to sign scorer Louis Williams to provide a much needed scoring spark off the bench; a bench that should be much better at shooting with the additions of Korver, Morrow and Jenkins.
The Hawks have set themselves up to be big players in next year's free agent class that includes Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. New GM Danny Ferry is quickly earning the trust of Hawks fans everywhere.
Detroit Pistons
3 of 5Additions: C Andre Drummond, SF Kyle Singler, SG Kim English, SF Corey Maggette, SF Khris Middleton and C Vyacheslav Kravtsov
Losses: SG Ben Gordon
Re-signings: None
Remaining free agents: C Ben Wallace, PF Vernon Macklin, SG Damien Wilkins and PG Walker Russell
The Detroit Pistons are firmly committed to returning to their former glory and this offseason is key in their attempt to be relevant once more.
Getting Andre Drummond in the draft is huge, as he has tremendous potential and should form a scary duo with Greg Monroe for years to come. Add proven scorer Corey Maggette, smooth Kyle Singler and intriguing Kim English, and this could be a very important offseason for the Pistons.
The team is finally constructing a starting five that could be together for a while, and the bench is taking shape with English, Middleton and Kravtsov. Give this team a couple years to gel and they could be potent.
Sacramento Kings
4 of 5Additions: PF Thomas Robinson, PG Aaron Brooks and PF James Johnson
Losses: C Hassan Whiteside
Re-signings: PF Jason Thompson
Remaining free agents: SF Terrence Williams and SF Donte Green
The Sacramento Kings are definitely not the most talked about team in the NBA, let alone California, but this team is on the rise after their offseason so far.
Having Thomas Robinson slide to the fifth pick was a brilliant stroke of luck that finally gives the team a formidable frontcourt partner for DeMarcus Cousins. The team also fortified the frontcourt depth with the re-signing of Thompson and trading for Johnson.
Aaron Brooks didn't play in the NBA this past season, but his talent is unquestioned and he immediately fills a noticeable need at point guard. His scoring punch will drastically help a starting five that has a lot of potential.
The Kings are two deep at almost every position and this offseason ensures they will at least entertain their fans before a possible move.
Philadelphia 76ers
5 of 5Additions: SG Nick Young, SF Maurice Harkless, PF Arnett Moultrie, SF Dorell Wright and PG Royal Ivey
Losses: PF Elton Brand and PG Louis Williams
Re-signings: C Spencer Hawes and PF LaVoy Allen
Remaining free agents: SG Jodie Meeks, PF Tony Battie and SG Xavier Silas
At first glance, the losses of Elton Brand and Louis Williams seem to indicate that the team has not had a good offseason. The team has indeed lost two valuable players, but they've replaced them with better depth.
One area that desperately needed to be addressed was three-point shooting. The team added Young and Wright exactly for that reason, as neither do more than shoot effectively. Harkless and Moultrie give an already young and athletic team even more youth and athleticism.
The 76ers are definitely going to surprise people next season with these players added. They may not be on the level of the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics, but the 76ers will be a team no one wants to play come postseason time.
